January 22, 2025 06:45 PM IST
The study found that modern work characteristics can directly affect the body’s natural circadian rhythm.
Do you struggle to sleep at night? This could be due to various factors, but one of the major factors could be your office chair. Yes, you read it right! People’s increasing reliance on technology coupled with a sedentary work culture may be disrupting our sleep patterns, according to a new study led by Claire E. Smith of the University of South Florida. Read this also Can’t sleep at night? The study names two popular work habits that may be responsible for
Study findings:
The study, published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, tracked 1,300 full-time employees who worked at least 46 hours per week on average. To understand how modern job characteristics may affect sleep health, participants and their lifestyles were tracked for 10 years.
The study looked at six aspects of sleep health – how regularly people sleep, how long it takes them to fall asleep, whether they have symptoms of insomnia, how tired they feel during the day, How often they nap, and the total duration of their sleep. Read this also No set time to sleep? Studies show it can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke by 26%, even if you sleep 8 hours.
Researchers observed that a sedentary lifestyle can adversely affect sleep routines. Among participants, sedentary job patterns led to a 37% increase in insomnia symptoms. A tendency for 66% of people with non-traditional work schedules to become catch-up sleepers was seen, relying on quick naps or weekend recovery sleep.
“The way we are designing work poses a serious, long-term threat to healthy sleep,” Claire Smith, a psychologist at the University of South Florida and lead researcher, said in a statement. Healthy sleep involves more than just getting eight hours of sleep. This also includes falling asleep easily, sleeping through the night, and having a consistent sleep schedule. Companies should be aware of the specific sleep risks of their workforce to improve detection and intervention. Read this also Is your sleeping pattern affecting your heart health? Here’s how to get better sleep
Computer Exposure and Sleep Patterns:
However, the study found positive effects of daytime computer exposure on sleep patterns, contrary to the notion that screen time could affect sleep routines. The researchers concluded that daytime computer screen exposure may not disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythm. Read this also Study shows social media impacts sleep patterns
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
Recommended TopicsGet your daily dose of fashion, Taylor Swift, health, festivals, travel, relationships, recipes and all other latest lifestyle news on Hindustan Times website and apps.
See more
